Xmas Break is a fast-paced Horror Thriller novella set on Christmas Eve. The first thing that attracted me to this was the cover. I couldn't resist it and after reading the synopsis, I was even more stoked. Who doesn't love a little holiday-themed Horror/Thriller?

This story revolves around sisters, Isla and Clara, who have been estranged since their mother's death and subsequent inheritance fallout. It's been years since the two have spoken, when Isla suddenly receives an invitation from Clara to join her and her partner, Greg, for the Christmas holiday at their luxury mountain retreat. After discussing it with her husband, James, Isla reluctantly accepts the invitation.

They travel to the house on a snowy winter night, and it is indeed just as luxurious as promised. Unbelievable really. And there's her perfect sister, with her perfect husband and her perfect decorations...But something seems off. Her sister is acting strangely, but Greg even more so. Isla and James are growing increasingly uncomfortable. They try to have a nice dinner, but things feel forced.

Nevertheless, Isla is giving it her best effort. She is, and temps do start to thaw, a little. At least on the inside. Outside the storm rages on, and wouldn't you know it, the power goes out. The stakes continue to escalate as the night goes on, and soon it becomes clear that these sisters are going to have to put the past behind them if they want to survive to see another Christmas Day.

While stylistically, Xmas Break may not be the strongest book ever written, it's still wildly-entertaining. This puts the Popcorn Thriller seamlessly into the Christmas holiday, and I'm here for it. Also, I did end up appreciating the more thematic messaging towards the end. I would say this is completely OTT, so if you aren't down for that type of Thriller, I would steer clear of this one. For those looking for a fast, fun ride, with ridiculous action and mostly unlikable characters, it's a must read for you next holiday-themed TBR.

Thank you to the publisher, BooksGoSocial, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I read this in a few hours, and had a lot of fun with it.

I thought this was going to be like Alex Pine's Christmas crime series and it was not at all. It was awful. Zero stars. Do not recommend.

I actually really enjoyed this. Even though my suspicions were right at the 25% point, I still will rate it high as the pacing was great.

I love a good holiday thriller and this quick read was definitely one to read. Perfect holiday thriller during the holiday season when life gets busy.

Personally, I was nit a fan of the writing style. But the story was great! I love when I find holiday themed thrillers!

🎄 Twisted, Tense, and Totally Unputdownable – A Holiday Thriller Done Right ❄️

Xmas Break: A Christmas Thriller is everything I didn’t know I needed in a holiday read. It starts off with the cozy, familiar feel of a festive break—snowy settings, family gatherings, and a sense of seasonal cheer. But don’t be fooled. That warm atmosphere quickly takes a dark turn, and from that moment on, I was hooked.

The suspense builds steadily, and the author masterfully balances creeping dread with bursts of adrenaline-pumping action. Just when I thought I had it figured out, another twist would throw me off track. The characters felt real and relatable, which made the danger they faced all the more intense. I also appreciated how the story didn’t rely on gore or shock value, but instead leaned into psychological tension and well-crafted reveals.

What I loved most was the way the holiday theme was woven into the story. The contrast between the cheerful Christmas backdrop and the underlying sense of danger created a unique reading experience that felt fresh and eerie at the same time. This is a thriller that respects the genre and still manages to surprise.

If you’re a fan of thrillers with a seasonal twist—or just looking for something different to curl up with this book is a fantastic pick. Xmas Break proves that not all Christmas stories are full of sugarplums and happy endings… and that’s exactly what made it so good.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you NetGalley for this arc!!

This book had such an ominous vibe throughout the entire plot, very well written as well

3/5 stars! This is a holiday thriller by author J.E. Rowney. I go back and forth because I feel like every other book I read by this author I love and the next I strongly dislike. This is an extremely fast-paced, short book, which if read in one sitting, works. It does not work (in my opinion) as a book you read a bit and put down to come back to the next day. Parts of it worked but Isla is also an idiot. So average overall.

J.E. Rowney's Xmas Break: A Christmas Thriller takes the festive cheer of the holidays and twists it into a chilling tale of family secrets and survival. This isn't your typical cozy Christmas gathering; it's a descent into a snowbound nightmare where the warmth of a luxury retreat is quickly replaced by the icy grip of fear.

The premise is instantly gripping: Isla reluctantly agrees to spend Christmas with her estranged sister Clara, hoping for a fragile reconciliation after years of silence and the shadow of their mother's death. But this reunion is far from the joyous occasion it seems. When a brutal snowstorm isolates them, cutting off all contact with the outside world, the stage is set for a deadly confrontation.

Rowney masterfully transforms the familiar setting of a family holiday into a pressure cooker of suspense. As dark secrets rise to the surface, the sisters are forced to confront not only the elements but also the deep-seated mistrust that has fractured their relationship. With time running out and nowhere to escape, they must decide if they can trust each other enough to survive the night.

Xmas Break promises a pulse-pounding thriller that offers a chilling twist on domestic suspense. It's a story that will make you think twice about accepting that family holiday invitation, especially when it comes with a side of terror. And with its unique structure of twenty-five chapters, one for each day of Advent, Rowney adds an extra layer of intrigue: will you savor the suspense, or devour it in a single, breathless binge?

A cute novella of a Christmas gone wrong… when a husband impulsively tries to murder his sister and brother in law for monetary gain. It was just ok.

Xmas Break by J.E. Rowney has potential but falls short of delivering a truly engaging story. While the holiday setting is nice and offers some mysterious elements set in the middle of nowhere, the characters felt one-dimensional, and the plot was overly predictable. The writing didn’t quite pull me in, and I had it figured out pretty quickly. Overall, it’s a quick read, but it didn’t leave much of an impression. A forgettable holiday thriller at best.

Full review to come on Goodreads and Amazon. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a review copy

Okay, so I just devoured Xmas Break by J.E. Rowney, and let me tell you, it was a wild ride! This isn't your typical cozy Christmas story. Instead, Rowney delivers a suspenseful thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

From the very beginning, the author creates an atmosphere of unease and tension. You know something's not quite right, and you can't help but feel a sense of dread creeping in. The characters are well-developed, each with their own secrets and motivations, and you're constantly questioning who you can trust.

This book was so good and I didn’t even see it coming! I can’t wait to read another book by this author!

Who doesn’t love a good Christmas thriller?! I feel like all the books that surround the holidays are happy endings and there’s no drama or suspects in this book was a pleasant surprise because our library has a lot of individuals who want more suspense, which is what this book offers.

This was a great christmas thriller. I enjoyed this one alot. It's hard to find a good christmas thriller. I would give this one 4 out of 5 stars.

This was a perfect December novella! I loved reading Xmas Break and was intrigued to find out what was truly happening at the creepy cabin. I focused on reading holiday thrillers before Christmas and this one was my favorite. I'd recommend reading this quick but captivating book anytime of year!

This was a quick, fast paced read! I liked the way Rowney described the setting of the house, the characters and their connections to each other. Two estranged sisters and their husbands, invited to a meal on Christmas Eve but something isn't sitting right with Isla from the get go.

Clara's demeanour seems forced, Greg, her husband seems skittish and not comfortable with their guests. What is going on? All hell breaks loose when a snow storm starts and the power goes out. The generator hasn't kicked in so the guys decide to go outside to check it.

I like how suspenseful this short read is, it builds up fast and you can imagine being a fly on the wall, the wind whistling through the windows, the blackness outside making it scarier when all you see is your own reflection looking back at you.

Enjoyed this and want to read more from the author!

I love advent calendars! Every year, I scour the internet for the best advent calendar and delight in opening each box daily in the anticipation of Christmas. When I discovered that there was a book that was marketed as an advent calendar, and that it was a Christmas thriller, I had to get my hands on it! This story is told in 25 chapters, and is about a couple who find themselves in a very strange and ominous position. The story was decent but quite unrealistic. The writing style was a little clunky and even though I love advent calendars, I struggled to pick this book up daily. I love the concept but the execution definitely needs a little work.

I really loved this thrilling book -
The plot is filled with unexpected twists and turns, making it impossible to predict what will happen next.
The writing is both engaging and suspenseful, with well-developed characters that add depth to the narrative.
The pacing of the novel is perfect, with just the right amount of tension to keep readers hooked without feeling overwhelmed.
The setting is vividly described, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall reading experience.
Highly recommended!